Hospice and Palliative Care

Compassionate, culturally appropriate care for those nearing the end of life is a common long-term care need. Tribal LTSS programs can successfully provide hospice and palliative care to ensure end-of-life support reaches those in need.

Overview of end-of-life care

What’s the difference between palliative and hospice care?

• Palliative care: eases symptoms of serious illnesses and may accompany treatments to cure the illness
• Hospice care: provides comfort for patients who are terminally ill and not seeking a cure

Learn more about palliative and hospice care in Indian Country:

• Literature review—Hospice in Indian Country (PDF): Examines access, use, and cultural aspects of hospice care for AI/AN people (491 KB, 37 pp)
• Infographic—Caring for those nearing end-of-life (PDF): describes the two types of end-of-life care and discusses cultural and planning considerations for tribal communities (736 KB, 1 p)

End-of-life care needs in Indian Country

Decisions about end-of-life care, such as the level and location of care, are important considerations for AI/AN people. Many tribal citizens prefer to receive end-of-life care at home, but often lack access to culturally sensitive hospice options.

Tribes and tribal programs can build and maintain successful end-of-life care programs to ensure culturally appropriate end-of-life care for their community members.

Program examples and resources

These resources share the successes, innovations, funding considerations, and lessons learned from hospice and palliative care programs that serve Indian Country.

Program profiles

• Hospice of the Cherokee (PDF) (280 KB, 2 pp)
• University of New Mexico Palliative Care (PDF) (208 KB, 2 pp)
• Tohono O'odham Hospice (PDF) (243 KB, 2 pp)
• Zuni Home Health Care Agency (PDF) (244 KB, 2 pp)

More resources

• Fact Sheet—Hospice and Palliative Care in Indian Country (PDF) (282 KB, 2 pp) Analyzes, as a group, the four hospice programs that serve Indian Country
• Video—Pueblo of Zuni’s LTSS Network: Highlights how Pueblo of Zuni provides long-term care, including end-of-life care, through the collaboration of several tribal programs (05:34)
• Webinar slides and transcript—Tohono O’odham Hospice: A Model of Tribally Based Skilled Nursing and Hospice Care: Discusses how Tohono O’odham Nation developed skilled nursing facilities, including a hospice care program.
  • Download slides (PDF) (4.62 MB, 34 pp)
  • Download Transcript (PDF) (510 KB , 16 pp)